The Sprout
The newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Issue 124 February 2018
The Sprout
Issue 124, February 2018
Contents
3 Lunch Club News
5 Rugby Club defibrillator
7 District councillor surgeries
9 West Way update
13 Fantastic Favours Auction
15 Flood Scheme ramifications
19 Cumnor Choral hits top notes
21 Irresolute resolutions
24 Making the most of your GP
27 Community Art at the Pavilion
29 Cooking chutney
31 Foodbank Christmas Dinner
33 Ragwort Patrol
35 Planning Applications
37 Poetry – What Jolly Fun!
39 Randoms
43 Local Organizations
From the Editor
Welcome to the first Sprout of 2018. Lots here to interest you. There are
various items of public information, like the account of the new defibrillator
outside the Rugby Club (p.5), the dates of our District Councillors’
surgeries (p.7), and the article explaining how best to get the prescriptions
you need, via doctor or chemist. In it, Dr Ballastero makes the point that
‘free’ prescriptions are not free to the NHS, and sometimes we should make
the choice to buy our medications ourselves over the counter, and free up
NHS money for other things (p.24). WWCC has a page explaining the latest
hitches, and their implications (p9). Then there are the things we can look
forward to: an art show of local talent at the Pavilion during Artweeks in
May (p.27); an auction of ‘Fantastic Favours’ in February to raise money
for Botley Bridges and Botley Branches (p.13); and the Great Spring Clean
to sign up to (p.25). Then there are some reviews of Christmas things: the
Foodbank Feast (p.31); the Cumnor Choral Concert (p.19). Finally a couple
of personal reflections (p.15, p.37) and a little piece of daftness (p.21). And
that’s just to start with! Enjoy the read! Ag MacKeith
Over 60s Lunch Club
The Over 60s Lunch Club in Botley said a fond farewell to three long-
standing and stalwart volunteers at the Christmas lunch on 14 December.
Marina Bennett, with over 40 years’ worth of service behind her, Margaret
Ansell with 24 years, and Lyn Blizzard with 18 years, all stood down for a
well-earned rest. They were our backbone and, by my reckoning,
between them they will have cooked nearly 100,000 meals for Lunch
Club! There’s no doubt that running Botley Lunch Club can be hard work,
we’re on our feet all morning, and I’m sure that our retirees won’t mind
my saying that some of our customers are now younger than they are.
Jackie Warner presented Margaret and Lyn with flowers (see photo,
Margaret on the left) and others were taken to Marina later in the day – a
small token in
recognition of
their devotion to
keeping Lunch
Club going for
so many years.
The Christmas
lunch was
enjoyed with the
usual
decorations,
raffle (with
prizes doled out
by our very own
Santa), washed
down with wine
or fruit juice. Any profits we might make during the year are ploughed
back into making the Christmas meal special. Margaret and Lyn have
promised that they will continue to make the floral table decorations for
us – anyone who doesn’t win a raffle prize is always welcome to take
home one of their lovely arrangements.
We are keeping Lunch Club going and volunteers are always welcome.
If you can spare us alternate Thursdays, please drop in around 10.30 am
for a chat and see what we’re up to. We start back on 11 January so are
at the Seacourt Hall every second week from then on. Viv Smith
Defibrillator now available at Oxford Rugby Club
Sudden cardiac arrest can strike without warning, regardless of age.
Now, thanks to members of Oxford Rugby Club and North Hinksey Parish
Council, the club is host to a piece of lifesaving kit, a defibrillator, which
could dramatically improve the chances of survival for someone having a
heart attack.
Fundraising for
the equipment
got underway
after a group of
parents attended
a first aid course
at the club and
learned just how
important a swift
response can
be when some-
one suffers a
cardiac arrest.
As the First Aid
Co-ordinator for the Junior Section at Oxford Rugby Club, I know that
when someone has a cardiac arrest, the quicker resuscitation starts, the
better their chances of survival, so we were keen to get a defibrillator on-
site. Thanks to generous donations from club members we were able to
purchase one. We were thrilled when North Hinksey Parish Council
agreed to fund the purchase of a secure cabinet to house the defibrillator
outside our building, which the club has installed. This has made the kit
accessible to the whole community, even when the club is shut. We hope
it isn’t needed, but it is reassuring to know it is there just in case.
Last year North Hinksey Parish Council identified the provision of publicly
accessible defibrillators throughout the Parish as an important facility to
ensure the well-being of local residents. “When the Rugby Club
requested a grant to buy a secure cabinet for the defibrillator they were
obtaining, we responded with enthusiasm, as it seemed an ideal location
within North Hinksey Village,” said NHPC chairman, David Kay. “The
Parish Council has also already installed a defibrillator at the Louie
Memorial Pavilion, and another unit will be added in the shopping precinct
off West Way when the redevelopment works there allow that to happen.”
Andrew Lloyd, Chairman of Oxford RFC, said "“I am very pleased that we
now have the defib set up at the Rugby club. I would like to thank the
generosity of the parents who paid for this and also the support we
received from the parish council. Let’s hope we never need to use it.”
A defibrillator, sometimes called an automatic external defibrillator, or
AED, is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart
through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest.
AEDs are automated so that all you need to do is open the case, turn it
on and follow the instructions. They are often in public areas and if
someone can retrieve and use it while resuscitation is being given then
can be lifesaving.
The defibrillator at Oxford Rugby Club is just one of a growing network of
publicly available AED units across the region. Should you need a
defibrillator dial 999 and the ambulance service will direct you to the
nearest one. You can find out more by googling BHF Cardiovascular
Disease Statistics - UK Factsheet - British Heart.
Saskya Huggins
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
District Councillor surgeries
Our two district councillors, Cllr Emily Smith and Cllr Debby Hallett are
touring their ward between January and March 2018. This is our chance to
come along and tell them what’s bothering us. Or just see the colour of
their eyes. Here is the where and when:
Wednesday
7th February
12pm–2pm
The Fishes, North Hinksey Village,
OX2 0NA
Thursday
15th February
10am–12pm
Wyevale Garden Centre Cafe, South
Hinksey OX1 5AR
Wednesday
14th March
10am–12pm
The Seacourt Bridge, West Way,
Botley, OX2 9JU
Saturday
24th March
2pm–4pm
The White Hart, Wytham, OX2 8QA
West Way redevelopment update
Where are we now?
We have known since early last year that Mace intended to make
changes to the plans which were approved by the Vale of White Horse
District Council in June 2016. These changes were shown at Mace’s
public exhibition in June 2017. Mace submitted their ‘Section 73’ planning
application for these changes in December, (reference P17/V3298/FUL)
and this was open for public comment until January 21st. We expect that
it will go to Planning Committee in February.
The material changes which concern us relate to:
(i) re-configuration of Block D, to house Tesco and Iceland;
(ii) re-design of main car park, to remove the internal ramp between
lower and upper decks;
(iii) proposals within the new draft deliveries and servicing strategy.
We are pleased that Tesco and Iceland want to trade in the new centre.
However, in accommodating these two foodstores, the vehicle access,
servicing and deliveries changes significantly, and new issues of public
safety arise. WWCC have, therefore, submitted an objection on these
grounds.
Details of the changes:
All HGVs servicing the three foodstores (Tesco, Iceland and Co-op)
would now pass through the site along Church Way and Arthray Road,
either on an anti-clockwise loop from West Way or a clockwise loop from
Westminster Way. These vehicles would then unload in a lay-by on
Church Way or on Westminster Way. There will be three times as many
articulated lorries using the West Way / Church Way junction and Arthray
Road as was previously expected. The absence of dedicated service
areas and the use of public roads as delivery routes is contrary to the
planning policy for the centre as set out in the Botley Centre
Supplementary Planning Document.
Church Way was designated as ‘shared use’ including community use for
functions and festivals but in the current application, Church Way would
– provide delivery bays for the large HGVs serving two foodstores,
and a delivery bay for Block F directly opposite;
– provide a through route from West Way via Arthray Road for
HGVs delivering to 2 bays on Westminster Way;
– provide the only vehicle access to 137 car park spaces;
– accommodate smaller delivery vehicles at the northern end and
the West Way junction.
In summary, there will be more traffic on Church Way (and Arthray Road)
than there is now - hardly suitable for a festival! As a consequence of the
proposed delivery and parking arrangements, pedestrian safety would be
compromised, amenity space adversely impacted, and permeability of
the site reduced. There are issues relating to disability and accessibility
and security arising from bad design, which also need to be addressed.
What’s taking so long?
Some things need to happen before work starts. Like all large
applications the planning permission had several conditions which have
to be met, before work can commence.
Nothing has started yet because:
• Mace (Botley Development Company) don’t yet own the land (at the
time of writing). The sale contract with the Vale and with the other
owners of the office block has to be completed. We had been assured
that it would happen just before Christmas.
• They haven’t yet satisfied the conditions for starting the temporary
works on Elms Court and Grant Thornton and they haven’t submitted
applications to discharge the conditions for starting work on the
demolition of the West Way Centre.
• They haven’t got planning permission for the amended plans outlined
above
WWCC’s remit is to monitor the development against the planning
conditions, essentially to make sure as much as possible that the
development goes to plan. We are commenting on Mace’s planning
applications, and raising concerns about how the centre will operate.
Some may fear that commenting on Mace's current application will slow
the process down overall. We don’t believe that will be the case, given
the approvals that need to be completed. Our focus is on trying to ensure
we have a new centre that is safe and workable.
Mary Gill, Co-chair, WWCC
To stay informed, please check our website and social media
(www.westwayconcern.wordpress.com www.twitter.com/westwayconcern
facebook.com/westwayconcern)
FANTASTIC FAVOURS AUCTION
Friday 23rd February 2018
PLEASE DONATE A PRIZE OR AN EXPERIENCE TO SELL AT
AUCTION, RAISING FUNDS FOR LOCAL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES!
Botley Bridges and Branches are hosting a Fantastic Favours Auction
to raise £5000 for these two good causes. Bridges supports families
with young children, Branches supports Botley’s young people. Tickets
for the auction will be available from January.
Favours can range in value – Legal Help to Make a Will, an IT health
check, a Balloon flight or a Holiday in a second home – or items such as
a bottle of whisky, dinner for two, dry cleaning or gardening. We are
grateful for all favours!
Botley Bridges is a charity for families and young children. We run
inclusive Play and Learn sessions, parenting courses, paediatric first aid
courses and support children’s learning. We aim to create a strong
local community by supporting families from different cultures and
backgrounds. We also run activities for families in the summer holidays,
encouraging families to explore local outside spaces. Future plans
include activity days for children from low-income families who may not
otherwise have a holiday. This all costs £30,000 per annum to run.
Branches Young People’s Support Service is a social enterprise
founded to support local young people. We plan to open a Youth Café
during the Botley West Way redevelopment, serving the community
with young people at its heart. Branches needs to match-fund
equipment for the kitchen to make the Café a safe and vibrant place
where young people can socialise and learn skills.
To pledge a Fantastic Favour please contact Andy Marsh (email
andymarsh58.biz@gmail.com or mobile 07498 563636) with your Name,
Company name, Contact number and e-mail, details of your Fantastic
Favour (include any time constraints/ reserve price). If you have any
questions contact Sue Dowe (Botley Bridges) on 0776 9275 084 or
Diane Long (Branches) on 0755 798 1769.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme
What would you do in our position? Imagine you were Oxford
Preservation Trust and you had to make the choice between assisting
with flood relief or preserving precious green space. Would you wait
around to find out whether our land is going to be compulsorily purchased
knowing that it will be left harmed and spoiled? Or would you stand and
fight? Knowing that if we stand back from a fight, it makes the work we
do seem just a little foolish? (with apologies to ‘Love Actually’)
The management of land is a partnership between man and the
environment. This is never more obvious than at Oxford Preservation
Trust’s Hinksey Meadow where rare ancient flower-rich fields, classified
as MG4 grassland, have been farmed in the same way for centuries by
taking the hay off the water meadow once the flowers have set, and then
allowing cattle to graze. Nature in turn has rewarded us all with the
sweeping green landscape abundant with wild flowers, including an ever
-ncreasing colony of Oxford’s own Snake’s-head Fritillaries. Nestled in
behind the Botley Road, the fields wrap tenderly around the village of
North Hinksey and the Willow Walk path retains the fragile rural character
of a bygone age before the city reached out to shake hands.
The Oxford Flood Relief Channel is being promoted by the Environment
Agency, who have recently showed us their latest plans. As planned, the
channel will cut a swathe through these precious green fields, open to
everyone all day every day, as it stretches out along the west side of the
City from Botley to Kennington. The channel would be 60 metres across,
running the whole length of Hinksey Lane. Ground level will be lowered
and trees removed to keep the channel free of debris when it floods,
altering the character of the area and reducing groundwater levels across
most of the field so that the current flowers cannot grow and thrive any
more. Once dug up or compacted by construction machinery, the hay
meadow cannot be restored to its original state; the ecological
complexity, evolved over centuries, will never return. It is simply
impossible for humans to reproduce.
Further down, the channel takes a wide sweep up alongside Willow Walk
to meet, we are told, a necessarily very large and high new bridge of
engineering quality and proportion, where more trees will be felled, to
allow water to flow freely under Willow Walk and continue downstream.
From here, the channel will continue to the south of Willow Walk across
OPTs Hinksey Fields where a colony of the very rare plant Creeping
Marshwort grows, before leaving OPT land and heading downstream
across other ownerships.
We have asked the EA to mark all this out on OPT land now and to leave
it there for the duration of the planning application, so until at least the
end of 2018. This will mean that when the application is out for
consultation everyone will be able to go and see for themselves and make
their own judgements, getting a sense of the scale, where the channel
will go, what the bridge will be like and which trees will be felled.
We were able to get a sense of the size of the operation for ourselves
late last year, when giant trial holes were dug and the archaeologists
were on site looking for the prehistoric and Roman route thought to run
here and the causeway that links two fords which might hold the real clue
to the start of the name Ox ‘Ford’.
Willow Walk, once known as Ruskin’s Ride, after the nineteenth century
art critic who loved its rustic charm, was built for the Harcourt family in
1876–77. It became a public path in 1922, as it remains today, well-used
by both pedestrians and cyclists. To the south is a much older, raised
and unmade path which once had fords and ferries at either end to cross
the Seacourt and Bulstake Streams, immortalised in the words of
nineteenth century poet Robert Binyon in ‘Ferry Hinksey’:
Between the winding willows
To a city white with spires:
It seemed a path of pilgrims
To the home of earth’s desires.
This was the main route into Oxford from the west until the Botley Road
was improved from the sixteenth century. Ox Ford first appears in a
document dated 1352 and may refer to two fords, giving rise to the rather
dramatic speculation that a marker post carved with a bull’s head gave
its name to the Bulstake Stream.
We have asked the Environmental Agency if something on this scale is
really necessary, and whether they might first try better management of
the channels and streams in the old-fashioned way. We are told that this
won’t work, and the big scheme is the only way, based on existing
development and using figures for climate change across 50 years, with
the lifespan of the scheme being 100 years.
But will it work? The figures on the EA chart show differences of mere
centimetres in flood levels after the work is carried out. And no one,
however clever, says it will stop the floods, it will rather reduce the risks.
We are also told that the EA can only commit to the maintenance of the
channel for ten years of the 100 years the project runs for. Meanwhile
we see no intention to stop building in the flood plain, with the City
continuing to promote an extension to the Seacourt Park & Ride and the
University quietly buying up Osney Mead with plans to redevelop. And at
the end of it all, and if we don’t say yes, then the EA can compulsorily
purchase whatever they need. What would you do?
Debbie Dance
[This article also appeared in the Oxford Times. The Sprout will report on
the OPT public meeting in the W.I. Hall in due course. Ed]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cumnor Choral hits top notes!
What a fantastic event our December concert was, performing Brahms
German Requiem! The thrill of performing with a chorus of approximately
100 was exhilarating! Our collaboration with singers from Great Milton
and Wheatley Choral
Society was a triumph, and
this must have been one of
our best concerts ever.
Everyone played a part in
creating an emotional and
stirring performance: Choir,
Soloists and Orchestra, all
under the leadership of our
Conductor Peter Foster. The
photo shows us singing our
hearts out at the concert in
Ss Peter and Paul Church.
If you think you would like to experience a slice of this then please come
and join our very friendly choir, especially as we are celebrating our 60th
Anniversary this year. More news will follow about this, so watch this
space! For more information please contact our Chairman Marion Owen
on 07552786127 or email mowen1192@gmail.com.
Monica White (Happy Choir member!)
Irresolute Resolutions
That’s it, I’ve had it with New Year resolutions. The making is tough
enough, the breaking, through no fault of one’s own I might add, creates
an instant pall of depression – failed again! Not only that but then I have
to face ‘the inquisition’ by supposedly supportive family and friends: a
tough and humiliating confessional made worse by trying to explain away
one’s errant behaviour. Not a note of sympathy that ‘outside forces’ have
conspired. Let me explain.
January 1st
Resolutions prepared and shared. Disconcerted by the odd disbelieving
snigger behind hands but onwards, undeterred, to a new, healthier
dotage.
Resolution 1 Alcohol: No more than 3 units a day and possibly one day
off – but not promising, mind.
Resolution 2 With new Fit Bits thingy, 10,000 steps a day as
recommended
Resolution 3 Morning swim, Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
There, that should silence the doubters when I emerge, bristling with
vitality, at the end of 2018.
Results so far, shall we say have been somewhat chequered:
January 2nd
Resolution 1 Curmudgeonly mate points out that 14 units a week is the
new ‘sentence’. Ridiculous! However, just read latest research findings
from Trondheim University about benefits of red wine. Churlish not
to accept and adhere to findings.
Ah well – cheers!
January 3rd
10.45 p.m.
Resolution 2 8,647 steps so far. Hang on,
now it’s bucketing down and I’m not going
up and down the stairs.
Ah well – cheers!
January 5th 7.15 a.m.
Resolution 3 Day of first swim. Car encrusted with frost, can’t open door,
de-icer in car.
Ah well – bit early but – cheers!
Undeterred, had a therapy session with ‘Resolution Advisor’. ‘Don’t be so
ambitious’ she said, how humbling. ‘Go for something simpler and
achievable’. So:
New Resolution 1 I will not enter the London Marathon
New Resolution 2 I will not try to convert Andy Brock to veganism
New Resolution 3 I will support social enterprises. Booked own seat in
Tap Social every Friday.
New Resolution 4 I will only throw soft items at telly when see picture of
Trump.
Ah well – cheers! So far so good and a happy New Year to you all!
Mike Bartlam
How do I get a prescription?
A quick guide for patients on ways to use your GP effectively
Most of us value our precious NHS even though we know it is stretched
and constantly in the news as under crisis. I hear you say “how can I do
my bit as a responsible patient to help the NHS and my GP make good
use of the limited resources available?”
Many of us will find ourselves in need of medications or treatments for
short term illness or chronic conditions at some stage in our lives. There
are a whole range of ‘sudden onset’ illnesses, for which the local chemist
is best placed to provide advice and to recommend treatments that can
be bought over the counter (OTC) without needing a prescription. These
conditions can involve the skin, breathing, pain, abdominal or urological
problems, as well as many others. The chemist is also the best person to
ask about possible medication clashes or “interactions”.
‘Chronic’ illnesses are conditions that are long-term. They need ongoing
treatment and monitoring, as they cannot be cured. This often means that
regular prescriptions are required. As a patient with a chronic disease you
have your part to play in ensuring you receive your regular medication
smoothly when you need it.
There are three different ways you can order your repeat prescription:
1. The simplest is via an on-line request through your patient access
account. You can set this up by completing a registration form at
http://www.botleymedicalcentre.co.uk/prescriptions1.aspx, or by
requesting the form from reception. At the time of registration you will
be asked for photo ID to ensure confidentiality.
2. The second option for requesting a repeat prescription is to tick the
items you need on the B-side (back) of your last prescription. If the
item you require is not on the repeat list, you can write it at the foot of
the sheet. If you do not have a prescription with a B-side, the chemist
can provide you with a copy. There are post-boxes for repeat
prescriptions at the Botley and Kennington branches of the surgery,
and a letter box to leave the request in when the surgery is closed.
3. Finally, you can request repeat medication in writing by post or fax,
or by bringing your request to the surgery. (For safety reasons we do
not take repeat prescription requests over the telephone.)
Please allow at least two working days for a prescription to be generated.
Last-minute requests for medication create a further burden on the
already stretched system. With over 16,500 patients in Botley and
Kennington combined, you can imagine how many prescriptions need to
be checked on a daily basis for safe issuing. Don’t forget that if your
medication is due for review the process may take a little longer and you
may be asked to see the doctor or nurse.
To sum up, be proactive about your repeat prescription, allowing
sufficient time to ensure you do not run out of medication. Know when
your chronic disease condition(s) are due for review (usually in your
birthday month) and proactively arrange appointments with your nurse or
GP. You can check with the receptionist when they are due. Speak to
your pharmacist if you have queries about your medication.
Sometimes, patients who have been seen in hospital are advised to start
medication from there. If the hospital specialist deems this must be
started urgently within the next 14 days, the hospital have an obligation
to provide the medication to the patient. If this is not the case, the hospital
will usually send a letter recommending that treatment is started on a non-
urgent basis. Depending on the type of medication, the GP may want to
further discuss any treatment suggestions with the patient.
Why might my GP not prescribe the medication I want? GPs are tightly
regulated to comply with local NHS prescribing regulations. There are
many medicines for which cheaper alternatives are available, and your
doctor may prescribe something less costly. In this sense, you can do
your bit by buying medication that is usually inexpensively available OTC
from the pharmacist. In the year up to June 2017, the NHS spent
approximately £569 million on such costly prescriptions. This huge sum
could have covered some 56,000 hip replacements.
In short, make sure you leave plenty of time when ordering your repeat
prescriptions. There is a whole process involved in generating a
prescription, as your pharmacist can tell you.
Dr A Ballestero, on behalf of local doctors
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPRING CLEAN 2018 Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th March
Every year since 2008, hundreds of people have come together on the
first weekend in March to clear litter and rubbish from streets and parks.
It makes a real impact. To join in, go to oxclean.org.uk/spring-clean/
Pavilion Community Art Exhibition
Weekend of 19th & 20th May – 11am till 5pm
Every year in May, the Oxfordshire Artweeks arts festival takes place
across the county, with the city featuring in the latter half of the month. In
previous years, local artists have participated, sometimes exhibiting
individually from home or their studios, sometimes in group exhibitions at
venues like the West Oxford Community Centre. This year, the Pavilion
Trustees have decided to host a community art exhibition at the Louie
Memorial Pavilion, on Arnolds Way.
2018 will see an increase in the numbers of artists exhibiting within our
Parish for the Festival. Hosting such an exhibition is quite an undertaking
and can require a lot of time and material, as well as costs. We wanted
to open up the festival to all members of our community who enjoy being
creative. If you have a piece of work, whatever the medium, we would
love to display it in the exhibition. Work should be no larger than 30cm x
30cm and must be created/submitted by a Botley/North Hinksey resident.
The works will not be for sale and there will be no entry fee.
This exhibition is a chance for everyone to show their creativity, in a year
when our Parish is
undergoing so much
change. Perhaps
you want to
represent that
change or capture
something of our
area that may soon
be gone for good.
Whatever your
theme, let others see
what you can do!
The popular Pavilion
Pop-Up Cafe will be
open each day as
well, providing refreshments while you enjoy the artwork (see photo)!
For further information, please contact emmettcasley@gmail.com or
call 01865 427519. The deadline for entries is 15th April.
Home Produce at Botley School
In early October 2017, Year 3 went to one of our huge apple trees in our
playground and collected some of its ripe, juicy apples. Our mission was
to create some apple chutney as part of our harvest celebration. The
ingredients we needed were:
Apples
Sugar
Raisins
Vinegar
Mustard seeds
Salt
The first job was to peel and chop the apples. It was very hard work! The
apples were then put in a pan with all the other ingredients and heated
gently for 20 mins. The chutney was complete. We poured it into a large
sterilized jar and it was stored in a cupboard for 3 months to mature.
On Friday 12th January we were lucky enough to try it. Mrs Neil brought
in some crackers and cheese for us to eat it with. Some of us had never
tried chutney before and they were not sure if they would like it. Most of
us gave it a go and were pleasantly surprised by how tasty it was! It was
much sweeter than we thought it would be.
We had a vote, rating our chutney out of 5. 22 out of 45 gave it 5/5! Miss
Marsh, our Headteacher, said “It was the best chutney that she had
tasted over the Christmas holidays!”
Immy Senge and Ashton Au (Year 3)
Christmas dinner with the Foodbank
We wanted to do something different this year, so we decided to help at
the Oxford Foodbank’s Christmas Day Community Meal, held at the
King’s Centre on Osney
Island, and open to
everyone.
Our first task was to
help wrap presents to
go under the large tree.
The wrapping was the
easy bit, trying to work
out what age they were
appropriate for was
harder! The pile of gifts
grew higher and were
being taken away by
excited children almost
as fast as we added to
it. Enthusiastic carol
singing added to the
Christmassy atmosphere. There were lots of people dressed as Santas,
elves, fairies and a real ballerina. An entertainer, as well as a face painter,
were on hand to amuse the children.
People circulated with large platters of smoked salmon starters for the
guests to nibble as they arrived. Eventually we made our way to the
tables, marvellously decorated with crackers, holly swags, clementines
and various things to drink to go with the bowls of olives. Next, generous
portions of turkey were distributed, with stuffing balls, sprouts, parsnips,
carrots, roast potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce. For those who did
not fancy turkey, there was some delicious beef and vegetarian (and
gluten-free) moussaka. This feast was followed by trays of mince pies,
cup cakes and Christmas pudding with brandy sauce or custard.
Christmas cake was then offered, with the option of a doggy bag for
people who were too full to eat another mouthful! Excess portions of
Christmas dinner were available for people to take home. People chatted
at the tables and moved around to make new friends in between courses.
There was a very relaxed, friendly atmosphere and it was great fun.
In another room was a free shop for people to take home yet more food
as well as clothes. It is amazing that the meal for 400 and everything in
the shop had been discarded by supermarkets and would have been
thrown away but for the Food Bank's efforts.
When people started drifting away, the clearing up process began. The
tables were cleared of plates of discarded food; rubbish was collected;
chairs were stacked and tables tidied away. Eventually everything was
put to rights and the tired helpers sat and supped cups of much needed
coffee.
Sally Hersom
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ragwort Patrol
Many were saddened
by the closure of
Manor Stables. It
ended the tradition in
North Hinksey of the
country sight and
sound of horses and
ponies being led along
the lane and grazing in
the fields. Planning
blight from the
proposed Flood
Alleviation scheme
finally persuaded Garry Donnelly that his business would not be viable.
So the stables have gone and developers are moving in.
But all is not lost. Ailyn Energeli grew up with Manor Stables and is
planning to pasture horses again in North Hinksey.
To that end, ragwort, which had infested the ten-acre field opposite
Oxford Rugby Club, needed to be cleared. So a team led by Philip Hunter
of Oxford Conservation Volunteers, together with some local people,
joined Ailyn to clear the ragwort (which is poisonous to horses) on
Saturday January 13.
If all goes well horses should be back enjoying North Hinksey pasture
from March. Chris Sugden
LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS
P17/V3113/PDH
and
P17/V3103/HH
14 Nov
16 Nov
P17/V3136/LDP
and
P17/V3370/LDP
20 Nov
14 Dec
P17/V3116/FUL
23 Nov
TDD: 22 Feb
P17/V3200/LDP
27 Nov
P17/V3039/FUL
4 Dec
TDD: 5 March
P17/V3275/FUL
4 Dec
P17/V3287/HH
4 Dec
P17/V3242/HH
5 Dec
P17/V3257/FUL
5 Dec
P17/V2908/HH
6 Dec
P17/V3298/FUL
6 Dec
TDD: 7 March
P17/V3356/HH
15 Dec
TDD: 9 Feb
P17/V3329/LDP
18 Dec
TDD: 12 Feb
P17/V3417/PDO
22 Dec
TDD: 16 Feb
P17/V3393/FUL
3 Jan
TDD: 28 Feb
Poetry – what jolly fun!
I do realise that poetry is not everybody’s cup of tea. I remember being
slightly underwhelmed at Botley School in the 1970s when our class had
to learn, parrot fashion, the Lewis Carroll ditty,
You Are Old, Father William. However, I do recall being greatly
entertained by Elms Road’s Dorothy Squires (not the one who married
Roger Moore) who recited an amusing rhyme about a jumble sale. Then
there was Greta Browning’s father, Henry Francies, who finished off his
funny poem about stitches in a medical operation with a line that went
something like
“Why don’t
they use a
zip?” These
days poetry
doesn’t seem
to be in such
high
prominence
unless you
classify pop
song lyrics as
great
literature. I did
spot some lyrics from 1970s rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd under the A34 fly-
over but apart from perhaps Bob Dylan songs or the stunning story told
in Don Maclean’s American Pie, there is little to challenge a Shakespeare
sonnet or even a Lear limerick. [Wot about Leonard Cohen, Ed.]
Perhaps poetry has to be read in the right way, sometimes out loud to be
appreciated. I was pleased to discover Michael Caine’s rendition of
Rudyard Kipling’s If on YouTube. I am also finding YouTube useful for
discovering Matthew Arnold’s poems. Later this year I’m planning on
giving a talk to our Cumnor & District History Society on this poet who
had a lot to do with this area and education, which explains why our local
secondary school was named after him 60 years ago. If you have any
interesting details, or pictures connected with this poet, school inspector
and literary critic then please do let me know. You can phone me on
Oxford 864776 or email martin.harris321@gmail.com
You may never have heard of Sir Walter Raleigh, who until his death in
1922, lived in a house called ‘The Hangings’, at the foot of Harcourt Hill,
but he was the author of these familiar lines (from the 1998 BBC book
The Nation’s Favourite Comic Poems)
Wishes of an Elderly Man,
(wished at a Garden Party, June, 1914)
I wish I loved the Human Race; I wish I loved its silly face;
I wish I liked the way it walks; I wish I liked the way it talks ;
And when I'm introduced to one, I wish I thought “What Jolly Fun!”
Martin Harris
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Randoms
Have your say on Oxfordshire’s Waste and Recycling Strategy 2030
Now’s the time to help promote more waste reduction and recycling in the
County. Although Oxfordshire ranks as one of the best in the country, with
recycling rates at about 60%, there’s room for improvement. The county
is seeking residents’ views on ways to reduce waste and recycle more
over a 6-week consultation, open till 18th February. The online survey is
at: www.recycleforoxfordshire.org.uk). So send in your suggestions on
e.g., left-over food, ideas on incentives/ rewards or views on changing bin
sizes and the frequency of collection. The Oxfordshire Environmental
Partnership will make recommendations over the summer and then each
council partner (e.g. the Vale of the White Horse district council) will adopt
changes later in the year. Jan McHarry
Mare maths?
Kumon Maths and English Study Centre in Botley is offering a two-week,
no obligation, free trial during February. They accept Childcare Vouchers
and Working Tax Credits and are now open on Sundays. For more
information and to book, text Louise on 07809156502
Women’s World Day of Prayer
This year the service has been compiled by the Christian women of
Suriname and the theme is ‘All God’s creation is very good!’ The service
will be at 10.30 on Friday 2nd March at Our Lady of the Rosary Church,
Yarnells Hill. All are very welcome! Monica White
Families Surviving Alcoholism
A talk on Wednesday 21st February 2018, from 7 to 9pm at Botley
Medical Centre, Elms Road, Oxford, OX2 9JS, organized by Botley/
Kennington Patient Participation Group and Al-Anon Family Group.
Further information from Botleyppg@gmail.com or phone 07503 943812.
Home Library Service
The Home Library Service is offered in partnership with Age UK and the
Royal Voluntary Service to people who are unable to visit the library
themselves through frailty, infirmity or a disability and who have no other
means of getting access to reading materials. Full-time carers and those
who might need the service on a short-term basis following debilitating
illness or hospitalisation can apply too.
Contact us to discuss the kind of books, DVDs, music CDs or audio
books that you like to read or enjoy. We will then arrange for a library
volunteer to deliver these to you in your home. Our volunteers wear
identification badges and provide a helpful and friendly service.
Whenever possible, we try and arrange for the same volunteer to visit
you each time. Your library materials will be delivered and collected
every 3 weeks. The service is free of charge, and there is no charge for
requests or late returns. To register for this service or for further
information call the Home Library Service on 01865 810259 or email
homelibraryservice@oxfordshire.gov.uk.
Art Group Show at Ss Peter and Paul Church
As part of the ongoing art exhibitions in the Church of SS Peter & Paul
on West Way, North Hinksey Art Group will be showing paintings from
Monday 5 February until mid-April 2018.
The group is a watercolour and drawing class that meets in Botley W.I.
Hall on Wednesday mornings during term time. It is tutored by the very
able Christina Wartke-Dunbar. The classes are friendly and relaxed yet
structured, with the emphasis on developing individual styles. You can
find out more about the classes of North Hinksey Art Group at
www.christinas-art-classes.co.uk (where you can also see more of our
art work) or call 07931 707997. The classes are for complete beginners
or those with some experience.
The exhibition is arranged by Botley Arts. If you are interested in
submitting work, please email Jennie Hopkins at jennie@talk21.com or
Ruth Cameron at cameronruth40@yahoo.co.uk
The church is open Mon–Fri from 9 am until 5 pm so do feel free to pop
in next time you are at the Botley shops. We hope you enjoy looking
these examples of what we have achieved in our classes - you could even
buy a picture if one took your fancy!
Parkrun for active children
Junior Parkrun is for children aged 4 to 14 and takes place at Brookes
Harcourt Campus on Sunday mornings at 9am. The course is 2km on
grass, and the event is free, subsidized by the VOWHDC. Just register
online at parkrun.org.uk/register/ and print off your barcode, which you
will need to bring with you to enter.
Volunteers needed
ARCh (Assisted Reading for Children) is looking for volunteers to help
children who are struggling with reading. Twice weekly sessions of 1½
hours during the school day in a primary school near you. Full training is
given and we provide ongoing support and reimburse travel expenses.
To find out more, visit our website www.archoxfordshire.org.uk or
telephone us on 01869 320380
Organizations: If your organization is not listed here, please send details
to editor@thesprout.org.uk or telephone 724452 for inclusion.
1st Botley Brownies
Girls aged 7–10
Dean Court Community Centre Thur 6–7.30 Fiona
Wheeler, firstbotleybrownies@gmail.com
2nd Botley Brownies
Girls aged 7–10
Rosary Room, Yarnells Hill. Tues 6 -7.30 : Alison
Griffin 01865 379247
4th Oxford Scout Group
Beavers, Cub Scouts, Scouts
Scout Hall, Arnolds Way; mail@thefourth.org.uk
Website: http://www.thefourth.org.uk/
15th Oxford Scout Group
Boys and girls welcome
Meet Fridays, Botley Baptist Hall Contact: Julie Tatham
01865 863074 or Amy Cusden 07887 654386
Baby & Toddler Group
Tues/Thurs 9.15–11, SS Peter & Paul Church Hall
Badminton Club
Thurs 7-8pm at Matthew Arnold Sports Hall. Garry Clark
0777 3559 314 garryclark13@gmail.com
Books on Wheels R.V.S.
Free Library Service for housebound Ox. 248142
Botley Boys & Girls F.C.
Football teams from ages 8-16
Jason Barley Ox. 242926 jbarley1@ sky.com or Brendan
Byrne Ox.792531 brendan.byrne999@gmail.com
Botley Health Walks
Wednesday 9.30 a.m Contact: Briony 246497
Botley Singers
Thur 7.30, St Andrew’s Church, Dean Court. Angela
Astley-Penny Ox.242189 angastpen@aol.com
Chair-based Exercise Class
Tuesdays 10.30 – 11.30 a.m. Seacourt Hall
Contact Lizzie, Oxon Age UK, 07785 425601
Community Fridge
For all. Put food in, take food out. Ss P&P church, Mon–
Sat 9–5, Sun 11–5. Riki Therivel 07759 135811
Cumnor Choral Society
Friday 7.30 to 9.30 pm Contact: 01235 533726 or
07552 786127 or www.cumnorchoral.co.uk
Cumnor Chess Club
Thurs 7–9pm Cumnor Old School. Steven Bennett
862788 www.cumnorchessclub.co.uk
Cumnor & District Historical
Society
Last Monday of the month 7.30-9.00 Cumnor Old
School. 01865 724808
Cumnor Gardening Club
Details on website at http://cumnorgardens.org.uk/ or
phone Chris Impey, 01865 721026
Fit Steps – exercise based
on dance
Friday 6–7pm, Seacourt Hall. Email Rosalie on
rosalie.crane@btinternet.com
Harmony InSpires, Ladies'
Acappella Singing Group
Wed 7.30 at Appleton village hall. C. Casson 01235
831352 or harmonyinspires@hotmail.co.uk
Hill End Volunteer Team
Contact: David Millin on david.millin@hill-end.org, call
01865-863510 or visit www.hillend-oec.co.uk
Let’s Sing! – singing group
Weds 2pm, WOCC, details Emily 07969 522368
or email emformusic@outlook.com
Morris Dancing – Cry Havoc
Barbara Brett 249599 or bag@cryhavoc.org.uk
Mum and Baby Yoga for
babies from 6 wks to crawling
Mondays 10.30 at Dean Court CC, contact Jacqueline
Rice via https://yogawithjacqueline.co.uk
North Hinksey Preschool
and Childcare Clubs
Mon–Fri 7.45am –6.00 pm. 01865 794287 or email
nhps.manager1@gmail.com
N Hinksey Art Group
Weds 10 – 12.00 W.I. Hall Tel: Christina 07931 707997
N Hinksey Bellringers
Contact: Ray Rook 01865 241451
N Hinksey Conservation
Volunteers
Meets at weekends. Contact Voirrey Carr
07798743121 voirreyc@aol.com
N Hinksey, Friends of
Annual Cricket Match & Walk. Douglas Bond 791213.
N Hinksey Horticultural Soc
Contact: Ann Dykes Ox 251821 anndykes@hotmail.com
N Hinksey Parish Council
Alan Stone 01865 861992 nhpcclerk@msn.com
N Hinksey Youth Club
Wednesdays at Arnold's Way pavilion, call Daz on
07791 212866 or see Facebook
Over Sixties Lunch Club
Every other Thursday. Seacourt Hall. Viv Smith 01865
241539 or Jackie Warner 01865 721386
Oxford Flower Arranging Club
4th Thursday Cumnor. Dympna Walker: 01865 865259
Oxford Otters
Swimming for people with disabilities. Sundays, twice
monthly. Contact: Alan Cusden 723420
Oxford Rugby Club
Boys and girls from 5, kevin.honner@ntlworld.com
Seniors, training etc jbrodley@chandlings.org.uk.
Oxford Sports Lawn Tennis
Club, N Hinksey
Family club: Melanie Riste 848658 or
melanie_riste@hotmail.com
Parkinson’s Disease Soc
Contact: Pen Keyte, Branch Secretary 01865 556032.
Raleigh Park, Friends of
David Brown raleighpark@raleighpark.org.uk
Royal Voluntary Service
(West Way Day Centre)
Mon & Fri 10–3pm, Field House, 07740 611971.
oxfordshirehub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
Saturdads
Botley Bridges
Fun activities and trips for Dads and under 5’s
10 am–noon 1st Sat of month. Tel: 243955
Seacourt Hall management
committee
Contact: Michael Cockman 07766 317691
michael.cockman@gmail.com.
Shotokan Karate club
6+ WOCC twice weekly Martyn King 07836 646450
Weight Watchers
Thursdays 6pm at SS Peter & Paul Church Hall Banso
tel: 07779 253899 bansob@aol.com
West Oxford Bowls Club
Contact: Marion Bostock 436277
West Oxford Taekwon Do
Club
Mon, Thurs 6.30-8pm, MA gym, contact Chris Hall
07815 899698 www.wotkd.co.uk
West Oxford U3A
(Uni of the 3rd Age) http://westoxfordu3a.org.uk/
Which Craft?
Pavilion, Arnold’s way, fourth Monday, contact
whichcraft.botley@yahoo.co.uk
Women’s Institute (Botley)
Liz Manson, 244175 email liz.manson@virginmedia.com